It’s a common fact among social psychologists that media reports of high profile suicides cause a peak in the suicide rate in the general population. Reading about a death on the front of your morning paper will make about eighty-five more people than usual commit suicide over the following days. They call it the social proof effect: you see someone else has done it, so it becomes an acceptable option for yourself too. Depressing, huh? And creepy. It doesn’t just cause a spike in suicides, but plane crashes and fatal car pile-ups. These people are not just taking themselves out, they’re taking others out with them. Not really fair, when you come to think about it, but I guess those people aren’t really thinking, are they? Have to say though, it’s crossed my mind. Not to drive into other cars, no, I’d never do that, but to drive off the road, or to hit a tree. I just get so angry sometimes, so stressed. You have that second – half a second – even when you just long to turn out the lights. Everyone feels like that at sometime or other, don’t they? But I don’t think I’d ever actually do it. Not a car crash. Too many variables. I wouldn’t do pills either. What if you change your mind after – but it’s too late – you’ve swallowed them all. The panic is quite reassuring. I’m not ready to give it up yet.